Time they upped their game
We’re all told hat we should use public transport wherever possible – it’s greener, more efficient, and cheaper than running a car.
Sounds great in theory. Shame the idea comes off the wheels when we commute by train, because of the expense of going anywhere by rail.
Back in July the Retail Prices Index – which is used to determine rail fares from January – stood at 3.2 per cent – so next year regulated rail fares, including season tickets and some off peak fares, will rise by 3.2 per cent.
Yes, despite this summer’s train timetable chaos, and general delays, cancellations, overcrowding and constant all-round poor service from train companies across the UK, passengers are being expected to fork out even more. Again.
Rather than going green when travelling by train, people are seeing red. Which? research has shown that over the last decade passenger satisfaction with rail travel has stagnated; commuters happiness with punctuality and reliability of train services has fallen; and less than half of rail passengers think the trains are value for money. Unsurprisingly it’s those commuters who rely on the trains to get to and from work every day, who feel the most dissatisfied.
In fact trust in the train industry is reaching its lowest point in six years – only 23 per cent of people told us that they trust train travel – that’s down six percentage points since July last year. Only car dealers are trusted less by consumers. It’s surely not where train companies want to be.
But then when train fares have increased by 40 per cent since 2008, with no apparent improvement in service, it’s no wonder passengers are pained.
It’s time for train companies to seriously improve the reliability of their services. Passengers deserve it given the price they pay to travel by train.
And the government must step in to ensure commuters are automatically compensated for delays and cancellations when they happen rather than making it yet another hassle and headache. Let’s also see the new Rail Ombudsman up and running without further delay to make sure passengers’ voices are heard.
Remember and send me your consumer questions to askalex@which.co.uk